Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences

Abstract
There have been reports of the mine tailings from Enyigba, Ebonyi State, Nigeria eroding into streams of nearby communities, especially during rainy season. Mine tailings are known to contain high concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, As, Mn, Fe, and Cd. The streams, which serve as source of domestic water, have been reported to contain high Pb, Fe, and Al concentrations above standard permissible thresholds. There are no reports in the available literature on the possible effects of drinking water contaminated with the mine tailings. The present study investigated the effects of oral administration of graded doses of Enyigba mine tailings on serum electrolytes, testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels of albino rats. The study involved collecting mine tailings from a tailing dam in Enyigba, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, which served as the primary stock (100%). Graded concentrations of the mine tailings (15%, 45%, and 75%) were prepared from the collected tailings. Twenty-five male Wistar rats were used for the study. They were randomly assigned to five groups of five rats each, comprising an untreated control group given distilled water orally, and four treatment groups given 15%, 45%, 75%, and 100% of the mine tailings orally. Each rat in the treated groups received 5 ml of its group-specific concentration of the mine tailings daily for 30 days. After 30 days of treatment with the mine tailings, blood was collected from the rats for the evaluation of serum electrolytes, testosterone and LH. Results of the study showed that administration of the mine tailings to rats in the treated groups led to significantly (p < 0.05) higher serum potassium and lower serum sodium levels in the treated groups when compared with the untreated controls. There were no significant (p > 0.05) effects on the serum chloride and calcium levels. Rat groups that were given the mine tailings also had significantly (p < 0.05) lower serum levels of testosterone and LH, when compared to the untreated control. These alterations in serum levels of potassium and sodium, testosterone and LH in the treated rats suggest that individuals who drink water from streams contaminated with the mine tailings may be subject to health challenges associated with imbalances in serum electrolytes, testosterone and LH.

Keywords: Mine tailings; Enyigba, Ebonyi State, Nigeria; Serum electrolytes; Testosterone; Luteinizing hormone; Heavy metal toxicosis; Albino rats.

How to cite this article:
Chiamah OC, Anunuebe V, Ozoukwu V, Otuu CI, Olatunde AO, Amaechi CC, Ukaegbu MC, Udechukwu CD (2025). Effects of oral administration of graded levels of mine
tailings from Enyigba, Ebonyi State, Nigeria on the serum levels of electrolytes, testosterone and luteinizing hormone of male albino rats. Journal of Veterinary and
Applied Sciences, 15(1): 916 – 925.

*Correspondence: E-mail: caroline.okeke@funai.edu.ng Phone: +2348030640703